StarTribune.com has started a photo album of those classic kids crying on Santa’s lap snapshots.
So click HERE to view - or upload your own pictures.
There will also be a feature on these boo hoo ho ho photos in Variety this Saturday.

We’re in the midst of shopping and gift lists - but after reading articles like this article from last week’s Star Tribune, it’s a shame you have to second guess the toys you buy for safety. Well, today we have Cribsheeter Shannon S. sharing what she’s learned in her exhaustive research on natural toys.

Thanks for letting me talk about my favorite subject! After all of the safety recalls on toys since my son was born, I started to think that there had to be another way of doing things. I think I also got a bit burned out after the first year with a baby–everything was used and outgrown in a matter of a few months. Since I’m a researcher by nature, I started researching and discovered a wealth of information. My new goal became to give my little son toys that would grow with him, made of natural materials, and things that provided the opportunity for open-ended play (as opposed to the toys that only do one thing).

When you first step into the world of natural toys, it came seem overwhelming. At first it seems impossible to find them (though Target and Toys ‘R Us are starting to carry some nice brands). Then they’re EVERYWHERE, but so expensive and so many choices! A few good things to keep in mind:

1. Simplicity. A simple scarf can be a super hero cape, a pirate ship flag, wizard’s robes, princess or fairy costumes, a blanket for a doll, a campfire, an ocean…you get it! Remember making forts out of boxes? The simpler the toy, the more room for creativity!
2. Quality not quantity. I’m there too…toy boxes over-flowing with impulse purchases that are played with and broken or forgotten. Once we reprioritized to natural toys, the impulse purchasing stopped! The big-box toy departments aren’t really even that appealing any more. Maybe a $60 wooden toy seems outrageously expensive. But consider that toy will probably be here for your grandkids to play with. [And consider the prices of the It Toys each year! Will it still be played with in a year or two?] By putting out fewer play-things, you’ll be amazed at the change in play in most kids. They can focus and really be creative in their play! So instead of several things, consider one toy. Added bonus: your kids learn to appreciate what they’ve got!
3. But *I* can make that! You probably can! If you can’t, maybe you know someone that can!! Do you know any knitters? Crocheters? Sewers? You might be surprised what fun things they can come up with, and I’ve *never* met a knitter/crocheter/sewer that wasn’t overjoyed to fulfil a wish! Know anyone with wood-working tools? There are lots of books and magazines with DIY projects for all skill levels. Get your kids involved for something really special that they’ll remember forever! (Living Crafts Magazine is available at lots of craft and book stores and is a wonderful resource!!)
4. The toys are beautiful, but so expensive! Not necessarilly. Bargains are around if you get creative. There are lots of articles on DIY play kitchens out of old furniture, you can buy kits to make your own dolls (Dancing Rain Dolls is my personal favorite), you can go to wholesale craft stores online to get the same playthings that are sold in some of the fancy shops (my blog has links to some of my favorite resources)! There are great tutorials all over the internet! Try going to the thrift store or raiding your own closet and put together a dress up box!

Ok, so off of my soap-box. And on to the useful stuff–where can you go shopping? (This list is NOT comprehensive. Just a few places I like or have heard great things about. There are a ton of other shops out there!!)

In the Twin Cities and Online:
Peapods
Wonderment

Online:
Nova Natural Toys
Three Sisters Toys
A Toy Garden
Nico And Zoe

And if those stores don’t get you drooling…please consider shopping on Etsy.com which has some amazing toy artists! There’s even a shop local option if you’d like to keep your footprint to Minnesota! The gift guides are really great place to start if you’re overwhelmed…they’ve got Children and Baby ideas too!

Just to tempt you with a couple of cool artists…

NotAPotato has some fun cloth blocks and balls as well as other baby gifts and she’s located right in Minnesota!!

Beneath the Rowen Tree is an amazing artist and makes beautiful, simple toys from silk and wool.

WoodMouse does really cute wooden toys and ornaments.

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

What toys or stores have you found for natural toys? Any recommendations?

I just checked our Cribsheet in-box and we’re getting several questions about what to give your child’s provider for the holidays.
We had a lot of great ideas and discussion on this topic last year (read here) - but it is always worth revisiting this time of year.

What to give your daycare providers/teachers/teachers assistants for the holidays.

A few inquiries we’ve received:

Between my two kids, we have about 15 gifts we need to give, so I’m
unable to afford nice gift cards. And I’ve heard that teachers get weary
of getting sweets (seems crazy to me!).
Does anyone have any fabulous and inexpensive ideas?

What about the giving a gift equal to one week’s daycare rate to a home daycare provider - does this unwritten rule of thumb still exist?

Please share your thoughts and ideas. What are you doing this year for your provider(s)?

My Swedish grandmother’s signature Christmas cookie was called Pepparkokar - a snappy little ginger cookie - sprinkled with pearl sugar or parlsokar (dang, where’s my umlaut key when I need it?) They were what Christmas tasted like.

I read this article on the front page on Thanksgiving. It’s about a grandmother who passed down her recipes, secrets, and techniques to the next generation - and it made me feel a pang of regret. I wish we had a roll up your sleeves and roll out the dough Pepparkakor 101 session before grandma became too ill. My grandmother told my mother the key technique to her Pepparkokar during her last days. “Roll them thin,” she said, “paper thin.” My mom and aunt are trying to keep the recipe going. I’m going to attempt to learn along with them when we go home for the holidays. I admit - I’m intimidated by the recipe. The pressure to do her proud is too much for me to do without a support system.

Well, this past weekend I turned on my Chrismix playlist on the old iPod and tried a new ginger cookie recipe along with Ben. I experimented with a thicker and more succulent gingerbread recipe that a friend shared with me recently. (Gingerbread Snowflakes recipe here) We made a floury mess, rolled out the dough and did cut-outs with some good ‘ol Vince Guiraldi in the background. Ben loved it. The cookies turned out so fabulous I don’t think they need any icing. Perhaps we just found our own little recipe to become a tradition and pass down.

Trying to sneak some dough.

BTW: If you are looking for more ideas and inspiration for cookie recipes - Taste staffers Lee Svitak Dean and Rick Nelson just launched a holiday cookie blog called the Cookie Exchange. They are featuring a cookie recipe a day through the holiday season. Check it out here: COOKIE EXCHANGE.

Do you have a sentimental cookie favorite you make each year? Or what cookies do you find easy to create with the little ones? Do share.

So it’s a big long busy holiday weekend ahead for just about everyone.
After you’ve survived going over the river and through family dynamics - (and perhaps over the parking lots and through the crowds on Friday) -
what else is there to do this weekend?

We’ve received many alerts in our in-box about many family friendly things going on. With halfway decent temps and flurries this weekend I’m already having Currier & Ives-y and Norman Rockwell-ian visions of holiday festiveness.
So many activities to choose from.

Parades, reindeer, window shopping, skating, plenty of twinkly lights, boughs of holly, perhaps a trolley, hot cocoa and snowflakes on noses.

Downtown Minneapolis has Holidazzle and skating and Macy’s display

Downtown St. Paul has the official Holiday Lighting in Rice Park and skating. Phalen Park also has a special holiday lights display.

In Edina this weekend: There’s the Lighting of the Trees (and shopping of course). Some fun and funky kids boutiques around the area have lots of ideas. Bebe Babble and Kiddywampus to name a few.

And in South Minneapolis there’s the Holly Trolley near Lake Harriet. And Bachman’s has Santa and his Elf.

phew!

But first we need to survive Thanksgiving!
Don’t forget to pick up enough copies of the Star Tribune for everyone at the kiddie table. It’s the 30th annual Oh You Turkey Coloring Contest in tomorrow’s Variety. shameless plug
It will keep the kiddo crew occupied , happy and away from the giblets!

What are your plans this weekend? Add to our list!